Lane Transit District received authorization of the Pioneer Parkway EmX line

LTD News
News Details - Federal transportation legislation funding


Replacement Buses - $2,985,714

Lane Transit District must, on an ongoing basis, replace older buses with new buses. Systematic replacement of older vehicles ensures that the fleet is kept up to date and reduces excessive fleet maintenance costs that are required to maintain older vehicles that have exceeded their useful life. In addition, newer buses have reduced emissions and include features that enhance operations and passenger safety and comfort.



The funds received as a result of SAFETEA-LU will help replace 23 buses that were purchased in 1991. The Federal Transit Administration has determined that heavy-duty buses such as these should have a 12-year life. By the time these buses are replaced in 2007, they will have been in service 16 years, four years longer than the FTA standard. The total estimated price to replace the 23 buses is $7,130,000. The remainder of the project will be paid by local funds and federal formula funds.

Pioneer Parkway EmX Corridor - $1,000,000

Lane Transit District received authorization for the design and construction of the Pioneer Parkway EmX line that would connect downtown Springfield and the Gateway area of north Springfield. SAFETEA-LU specifically provided $1 million to complete the alternatives analysis required before construction can begin.

Progressive Corridor Enhancement - $2,477,586

Bus rapid transit (BRT) has been identified in the Regional Transportation Plan as the preferred transit strategy for the Eugene/Springfield area. Lane Transit District has begun implementing EmX (the name selected for the BRT system).
Vehicle Disposal - $1,032,594

SAFETEA-LU includes language that would allow Lane Transit District (LTD) to dispose of six failed hybrid-electric vehicles. In 2001, LTD purchased six hybrid-electric vehicles with 83 percent federal participation. Normally, the federal share is amortized over the presumed life of the vehicle, in this case seven years. If a transit agency disposes of a vehicle before the federal share is completely amortized, the agency would repay the Federal Transit Administration the unamortized portion. The January 2005 estimate on these six vehicles was $1.02 million.



The vehicles suffered catastrophic failures, despite the work of the manufacturer and the Maintenance Department at Lane Transit. The manufacturer, Advanced Vehicle Systems, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, developed the 22-foot vehicles to meet an interest in alternative fuel propulsion systems that could provide clean, quiet, community transit service. This manufacturer has since filed bankruptcy.